Synthesis Using Group 15 Elements

化学合成（SYN）计划中的这一奖项支持了克里斯托弗·C.康明斯在马萨诸塞州理工学院进行基础研究的化合物含有第15族元素，重点是氮，磷和砷的化学。 将寻求将大气氮直接掺入有机分子中的方法，以绕过在传统的能量密集型氨合成工艺中产生的氨中间体。 这可以消除在有机氮化合物的合成中对化石燃料衍生的氢的需求。 元素磷是含有这种元素的特种化学品的工业前体，包括那些需要作为阻燃剂和锂电池电解质的化学品。 目前的初始磷氯化技术是浪费的，当合成目标中不存在氯时最明显。 寻求将磷更直接地掺入到增值材料中的方法。 现代技术得益于先进的半导体材料，包括磷化镓和砷化铟。 将开发出将氮、磷和砷有控制地和有选择地结合到先进材料中的方法。氮和磷是生物源元素，它们的全球循环直接影响地球上的生命，因为它们是合成DNA和蛋白质所需要的大量元素。 这些因素也有间接影响，因为制造肥料所需的固氮是能源密集型的，而地下水中的磷流失到海洋中会导致富营养化。 将第15族元素纳入基本化合物的有效工艺是负责任地管理我们宝贵的元素资源所需的技术。

This award in the Chemical Synthesis (SYN) program supports work by Professor Christopher C. Cummins at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to carry out fundamental studies on the chemistry of compounds containing group 15 elements, with emphasis on nitrogen, phosphorus, and arsenic. Methods for the direct incorporation of atmospheric nitrogen into organic molecules will be sought in order to bypass the ammonia intermediate that is generated in the traditional energy-intensive ammonia synthesis process. This could remove the requirement for fossil fuel-derived hydrogen in the synthesis of organonitrogen compounds. Elemental phosphorus is the industrial precursor to specialty chemicals that contain this element, including those required as flame-retardants and lithium battery electrolytes. The present technique of initial phosphorus chlorination is wasteful, most obviously when chlorine is not present in the synthetic target. Methods are sought for a more direct incorporation of phosphorus into value-added materials. Modern technology benefits from advanced semiconducting materials including gallium phosphide and indium arsenide. Methods will be developed for the controlled and selective incorporation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and arsenic into advanced materials.Nitrogen and phosphorus are biogenic elements whose global cycles impact life on Earth directly, as they are required in large amounts for the synthesis of both DNA and proteins. These elements also have indirect impact, as nitrogen fixation for fertilizer manufacture is energy-intensive, and the loss of phosphorus to the oceans in ground water causes blooms of eutrophication. Efficient processes for incorporation of group 15 elements into essential compounds are required technology for responsible stewardship of our precious elemental resources.